By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
The National Sports Authority has on 6th October 2023 questioned the Sierra Leone Football Association over the appointment of Leone Stars Technical Team ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.
This was confirmed though a Letter the authority sent to the Sierra Leone Football Association as they question the Federation over the appointment of Leone Stars Technical Team.
The National Sports Authority and Ministry of Sports made it clear to the Football Federation through a Letter that the appointment of Leone Stars Technical Team has to go through the due process as it has been before, wherein the Job is being advertise for suitable Sierra Leonean of Foreign Coaches will have the chance to apply and go through an interview panel and then the best Candidate is selected base on qualification, but according to the National Sports Authority this process is not followed and less this is followed the Government is not going to give approval.
Thomas Daddy Brima the President of the Sierra Leone Football Association said before pushing on the appointment of Leone Stars coach Technical Team he contacted the National Sports Authority, the Ministry of Sports in which he was given the green light to go ahead in the appointment.
He said” as far as I am concerned, we did the right thing and even the last day before pronouncing the decision I went to the ministry of sport and spoke to all of them. We all agreed for me to go ahead. Junior Bio was there present in the minister’s office. ED and his Deputy and all senior staff members were there.”
He noted for him to see another Letter from the National Sports Authority and Ministry of Sports is something surprising to him after giving OK on the entire process then with a change in not good in the interest of the game.
Stevens Kelefala the Director of Participation and sustainable development at the National Sports Authority said, “Noting new, but just that the Letter is remind to all that the Football Federation need to follow constitutional provisions in day to day administration of sport in Sierra Leone.” Noting the National Sports Authority is a regulatory body and all the actions are guided by laws and policies.”
Sierra Leone Senior National team Leone Stars is kicking off it 2026 World Cup campaign in November 13th against Ethiopia away from home and two weeks later host Egypt, with this coaching saga surrounding the National team has been a key concerned to Footballing fans of the chances of qualifying to the World Cup for the first time in the Country Footballing history.